How do i tell my actual weight on my rear axle?

I put 3200 lbs in the bed today. Picked up some gravel and they had a scale.
The rear is 3100 unloaded so if my hitch weight is under 3gs I should be ok.

Loaded to 6300 total rear weight.


It hauled it fine. Tires were struggling.

Wes Tausend wrote:
...

Looks like the box dropped about 3/4 to 1 inch. And the load center is slightly behind the axle.

Wes
...

ya, that was as far as she could get it back. it was about a mile to my house.
I have never towed a 5th wheel, im a bit nervous. Everyone says im going to love it.

I cant wait

...

Looks like the box dropped about 3/4 to 1 inch. And the load center is slightly behind the axle.

Wes
...

JIMNLIN wrote:

Me Again wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
Loads placed on the trucks axles is measured at the tires and ground interface and includes axles/wheels/tires/etc.

Just for example.... Your 3500 SRW Dodge has a 6500 RAWR and many unladin rear axles weigh in the 2900-3000 lb range which leaves around 3500-3600 lbs for a payload.
When you have your trucks axle weighed separately keep a copy of the scale ticket in the truck for future reference.

Jimnlin, what tires came OEM on your truck. I recall that in 2003 they switched to 17" rims and LT245/70R17 or LT265/70R17 rated at 3000 or 3195. Neither of those add up to 6500 RAWR??? I kind of remember it was the 245 and the axle rating went down for 6084 to 6000 in 2003. But I could be all wet!

Chris

My '03 2500 has a 6000 RAWR 11.5" AAM and came with optional aluminum wheels and LT265/70-17 E.
The previous '02 2nd gen trucks had a 6084 RAWR Dana 70 and had a 6084 RAWR with 16" LT E.
Some 3500 SRW Dodges came with a 6200 RAWR and later a 6500 RAWR but I have no idea what size tires were used with the 6500 RAWR axle.

The OP has no wheel or tire worries but may need more rear spring help depending on how much payload he needs.

The previous owner of my truck installed a helper leaf and a set of timbrens.
i put a ton of weight in it yesterday... I have pics... It drove like a dream.... Here are the pics. I dont have my 19.5s mounted yet, doing that before this weekend when i pick up my trailer

Before weight added



After weight added

Lyrikz wrote:
I saw my rear end as rated at 6500 pounds. Seemed light to me. 8800 seems better.

Well, DUH!

But, you can't just wave your hands and "wish" a new weight rating on your truck. If it were possible, I would make all pickup trucks rated to carry a billion pounds and we would never have to argue over weight again.

sch911 wrote:

Lyrikz wrote:
Well, the tires/rims i have are set up for way more then i can ever carry. I have 19.5's with some 6000lb a piece samson tires....

Doesn't matter... You axle ratings remain the same no matter how big of a tire you run with.

The GAWR is only applicable with stock tires per the doorjamb sticker. The axle rating itself may well be higher than the GAWR was with those tires.

...

To determine actual weight on a loaded truck axle, measure from the fender lips to ground while compressed by an unknown load. Then go to Menards and start loading 100 pound bags of "something or other" until the same height is reached. Count the bags and multiply by 100.

A truck "can take" weight-wise, any suspension compression one is willing to apply, that allows some additional bump travel for movement on imperfect roads.

This method would be a good way to reality-check lighter Dodge trucks that have an unusually low listed sticker capacity. My guess is that Dodge, Chevy and Ford 1/2 tons will have an actual competitively-close real-weight capacity in spite of the very conservative stickers often found on Dodges. The static "Menards test load" should be safe on whimpy passenger tires while not moving, but in the name of safety, tires should be upgraded to LT C's, D's or E's to match "on-purpose over-loads" while underway.

Wes
...

Me Again wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
Loads placed on the trucks axles is measured at the tires and ground interface and includes axles/wheels/tires/etc.

Just for example.... Your 3500 SRW Dodge has a 6500 RAWR and many unladin rear axles weigh in the 2900-3000 lb range which leaves around 3500-3600 lbs for a payload.
When you have your trucks axle weighed separately keep a copy of the scale ticket in the truck for future reference.

Jimnlin, what tires came OEM on your truck. I recall that in 2003 they switched to 17" rims and LT245/70R17 or LT265/70R17 rated at 3000 or 3195. Neither of those add up to 6500 RAWR??? I kind of remember it was the 245 and the axle rating went down for 6084 to 6000 in 2003. But I could be all wet!

Chris

My '03 2500 has a 6000 RAWR 11.5" AAM and came with optional aluminum wheels and LT265/70-17 E.
The previous '02 2nd gen trucks had a 6084 RAWR Dana 70 and had a 6084 RAWR with 16" LT E.
Some 3500 SRW Dodges came with a 6200 RAWR and later a 6500 RAWR but I have no idea what size tires were used with the 6500 RAWR axle.

The OP has no wheel or tire worries but may need more rear spring help depending on how much payload he needs.

wintersun wrote:
The gross weight rating is a number that the manufacturer calculates based on the stock equipment on the vehicle when it left the factory. All the 2500/3500 trucks have a rear axle that is rated for at least 8900 lbs. and limited only by the rims and tires.

Stock tires are load rated for these trucks at from 2800-3200 lbs. per tire but you can buy after market tires rated at 3750 for your rims or go to 19.5 rims and tires and be in the 4400 or more per tire load capacity. Big difference between two tires that support 6400 lbs. at the rear and two tires that can support 8800 lbs. at the rear.

I saw my rear end as rated at 6500 pounds. Seemed light to me. 8800 seems better.

The tires i have on the truck at 5900lb a piece. They can hold a lot more then i can carry. I just wanted to be safe.
I will take the truck to the scale and weight it without hte trailer and check the ratings and post em here.

The gross weight rating is a number that the manufacturer calculates based on the stock equipment on the vehicle when it left the factory. All the 2500/3500 trucks have a rear axle that is rated for at least 8900 lbs. and limited only by the rims and tires.

Stock tires are load rated for these trucks at from 2800-3200 lbs. per tire but you can buy after market tires rated at 3750 for your rims or go to 19.5 rims and tires and be in the 4400 or more per tire load capacity. Big difference between two tires that support 6400 lbs. at the rear and two tires that can support 8800 lbs. at the rear.